[Congenital hypothyroidism in the Jezreel Valley]

39 patients in the Jezreel Valley area with congenital hypothyroidism were studied during the years 1978-1991. The incidence of the disease was 1:3.085 births. The most common subgroup was peroxidase deficiency which was found in 12 (30.7%) of them, as compared to the 6% reported in the literature. The average age at diagnosis was 30 days, and the average age at the start of 1-thyroxin replacement therapy 48 days. 80% had clinical signs of hypothyroidism at the time of diagnosis. Average height was at the 25th centile, as compared to midparental height at the 40th centile. 15 (38%) of the children had psychomotor delay. This study reveals that despite the national thyroid function screening program which shortens the time to diagnosis and improves the clinical course of congenital hypothyroidism, 38% of these children have irreversible damage.